Casing and pipe machine



Nov. 4 1924. 1,514,195

A. H. BRANDON CASING AND PIPE MACHINE Filed March 21, 1922 4Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 4' 1924. 1,514,195

A. H. BRANDON CASING AND PIPE MACHINE Filed March 21, 1922 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 4 1924.

1,514,195 A. H. BRANDON CASING AND PIPE MACHINE Filed March 21 1922 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Patent d Nov. 4, 1924.

UNITED STATES 1,514,195 PATENT OFF-ICE.

ARTHUR H. BRANDON, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TOTHE DEEP WELL ENGINEERING COMPANY, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION OFOHIO.

CASING AND PIPE MACHINE.

Application med March 21,- 1922. Serial No. 545,546.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, ARTHUR H. BRANDON, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio, have invented new anduseful Cas ng and Pipe Machines, of which the following 18 aspecification.

This invention relates to the connecting preparation for use andoperation of oil and gas wells.

Referring to the drawmgs:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, with parts broken away, of an embodiment ofthe invention as a casing machine for gas or petroleum well operations;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail view of latch operated drive shaftconnector;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the sectional work engager or pipegripping rmg open;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the ring of Fig. 3, also open; 7

Fig. 5 is a detail view in side elevatlon of a caster support, in lieuof the combined stirrup and anchor of Fig. 1; p

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the devlce of Fig. 1, having instead of thestirrup anchor, the caster of Fig. 5, and an anchor rod or strut;

Fig. 7 is'a. bottom plan view of the actuator or sectional bevel gearring, together with work guides carried thereby;

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view, on a reduced scale of the main U-shapedframe;

Fig. 9 is a detail view of the actuator section lock;

-Fig. 10 is a detail view of the actuator drive connection;

Fig. 11 is a detail view of the actuator section hinge;

Fig. 12 is a view of features of the speed changing drive;

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the work engager and'its mounting; and

Fig. 141 is a plan View of the actuator partially open.

In the instance of the use of the device of this disclosure inconnection with oil or gas well operations, wherein a derrick isprovided for handling the tools, there is conveniently at hand, withoutinvolving any installation expense,headache post 1 (Figs. 1, 6) locatedadjacent the well openin in the derrick floor, and'sufliciently out 0the way as not to seriously interfere with the usual labor operations. Aslight clearance distance, say a little over two feet from the derrickfloor, upon this-post 1, by means of clamps 2 may be mounted eyes 3 forhin epin 4 to'swingably carry bracket 5, rigid y connected. to mainframe 6 of general U-' form. That is, this frame has an open side.Furthermore, this frame in vertical crosssection is also here of U-form,having lower flange 7 to which is rigidly connected by bolts 8, thebracket 5. The length of the bracket 5 is such that in the swinging ofthis frame 6 it may come into approximate axial ali nment with the wellhole.

The selection of the headache post 1 as the principal locating means forthis device, is for the purpose of 'avoidin cluttering up the derrickfloor, especially in the instances where this device may be used duringthe drilling operations, as for placing casing. It is important tomaintain the frame 6 in alignment with the well hole, when this deviceis in. use. Anchoring means is accordingly provided. "A type thereof'asa fixed anchor and support is shown in Fig.1, wherein derrick floor 9 isshown ashaving bolts 10 anchor plate portions 11 of upstanding eyes 12through which may be thrust hinge pin 13 as a swing or hinge connectionfor depending portions 14: of flare shaped brace structure 15 upwardlyterminating in a pair of spaced necks 16 having heads 17 When theU-frame 6 is swung 'into its accurately aligned position with the wellhole, the structure 15 may be swung upward from the derrick floor 9 tohave the necks 16 ride into notches 18 of plate 19 fixed by bolts 20outwardly extending bracket 21 having at its lower portion swivel pin 22carrying (Figs. 5, 6) roller 23. This device acts as 9.

caster or leg for traveling over the derrick floor 9 as the frame 6 isswung upon its hinge support at the headache post 1.

This caster does not serve to hold the frame in aligned position withthe well hole. A quickly detachable connection for this purpose may beeffected as a truss rod structure. Between the lower flange 7 and upperflange 24 of this U-frame 6 is mounted by bolts, a block carrying aradially extending headed trunnion or bearing 26 which may be engaged byhook 27 having long internally threaded sleeve portion 28 adjustablyconnected to the threaded end of rod 29 terminating at its remote end ineye 30 as a loose connection to corner post 31 by means of clamp 32.Accordingly this hook 27 may be adjusted by rotation as to the rod 29for locating the proper aligned position of the frame 6, and then withthis hook over the trunnion 26, this frame as supported 10 the caster21, 22, 23, is held against shi ting. Pulling upward of the hook 27releases the frame for quick swinging as carried by the caster awa fromthe casing and as sustained by t e pin 4.

Instead of being an upward pull for unhooking as with this hook 27, thestructure 15 is unhooked or released, by thrusting radially outward tohave the necks 16 clear the notches 18, when the U-frame 6 is clear toswing upon its hinge pin 4 away from the well hole.

With the U-frame 6 in anchored and sus- 7 tained position in axialalignment above the pinion 40 shiftable by control lever 41.

Mounted in this frame 38 parallel to the shaft 37 is shaft 42 carryinggear 43 into mesh with which the pinion 40 may be thrown for low speedactuation of the shaft 42, while reverse shifting brings the gear 39into mesh with pinion 44 on the shaft 42 for high speed rotation of thisshaft 42. In getting pipe threads started, when they, have been quitetightly connected, or have rusted in, the low speed driving through thegear 43, provides great reserve power, while after loosened up, theeasier running may be more rapidly handled by shifting to continue theoperation of disconnecting through the pinion 44. Conversely whenconnecting up threaded members, the threads start easily, and may be runup quite rapidly at lower power by the pinion 44. The final tighteningmay occur through the gear 43, (Figs. 1, 12).

To permit conveniently locating this driving two speed gear mechanism asto the hole, and to give it a minimum weight with low center of gravityagainst toppling over, all general features of utility in a readilyportable structure as herein, the frame 38 is shown as having outwardtherefrom on the shaft 42 a bevel pinion 45 in mesh with bevel pinion 46on shaft 47 carried by inclined bearings 48 on the frame 38 to directthe shaft 47 toward the U-frame 6 when in working position.

The remote end of this" upwardly inclined shaft 47 has axial openingtherein housing helical compression spring 49, normally thrustingoutward therefrom latch pin or bolt 50, held in position by pin 51 inslot 52. This latch bolt may be retracted by lever 53 from square seat54 having enlarged portipn 55, fast with the shaft 47, (Figs. 1, 2, 10

In effecting driving connection of this shaft 47, the bolt 50 is drawninward by the lever 53 to clear the seat 54, 55, and the shaft 47 swungupward as permitted by the universal joint 56, to embrace squared end 57of stub shaft 58. This squared end 57 has terminal enlargement 59, sothat the portions 57, 59, register respectively with the seat portions54, 55, and the parts are held assembled against moving out of the openside of the seats 54, 55, by the bolt 50 entering axial opening 60 inthe shaft 58.

This stub shaft 58 is carried in bearing member 61 connected by bolts 62to the U-frame 6. The latch lever 53, may be retracted, when the shaft47 is not rotating, and ready disconnection effected. This is a simplemeans for as quickly controlling the connection and disconnection of thedriving power, as is provided for the quick setting and removal of theframe 6.

Toward the U-frame 6, the stub shaft 58 carries a bevel pinion 63 inmesh with actuator bevel gear ring comprising major section 64 ofU-form, and minor section 65. Mounted upon the upper flange 24 of theU-frame 6, is a track or bearing 66 of U- form and preferably of bronze.As this U-track or bearing registers with the U-portion of the frame 6.likewise Z-shaped upper or track completing U-shaped member 67 is heldin similar registry by bolts 68 effective in assembling the trackelements 67, 66, with said frame 6.

The track elements 66, 67 provide an outwardly open groove of U-extentto receive inwardly extending flange portions 69, 70, of the actuatorsections 64, 65, respectively. These sections 64, 65, provide an endlesstoothed actuator. The track portion 66 has termini 71 tapered off forproper clearance as to the shiftable section 65, but so extending not topreclude full registry of the'section therewith, (Figs. 7, 11).

Connected to the major actuator section 64 by hinge pin 7 2 is bracket73 carrying the minor actuator section 65. The free end of this minor orhinged actuator section 65 is provided with a narrow mouth 74terminating in a cylindrical seat 75. The major actuator section 64.atits terminus remote from the hinge pin 72, carries lock pin 76 havingin the region of'the mouth 74 fiattened opposite sides 7 7 so that withthe handle 78 against pin 79 (Fig. 14) the hinge section may swing intoring completing position with the section 64. In this movement the mouth74 passes the flattened sides 7 7 of the lock pin 76 and the pin 76rides into the seat 75. Swinging of the handle 78 away from the pin 79to the stop pin 80, brings the flattened sides of this in 76 out ofregistry with the mouth 74, an the actuator ring is locked in itsannular form.

The actuator ring is shown as provided with, work guide means. Radiallyextending pairs of bolts 81 are shown as carried by the major section64, and 82 carried by the minor section 65 (Figs. 6, 7, 14). Theseprovide mounting means for adjustably carrying two guides 83 upon thesection 64 and one guide 83 on the section 65. Each of these guides 88has a slot 84 to permit of radial adjustment of transverse rollers 85 atthe inner ends of these guides 83. These rollers 85 serve asanti-friction contacting means for the pipe or work as passing up ordown, and assist in holding the machine of this disclosure in properaligned working position during operation. In removing tubing or casing,spiders on the derrick floor may sustain and hold the plpe againstrotation. In lowering casing, and some tubing, the ,friction in the wellhole, as well as the Weight of the string of pipe, may hold such fromrotation. It is usual to maintain controlof the pipe, either byelevators or spiders. This device, accordingly, avails of this conditionor these conditions in practice, and as herein Shown in its simplifiedform, effects rotation without any additional gripping features.

By omission of a second grip device, thls case is a simplification overthe showing in my co-pending application Ser. No. 411,57 3, PipeHandling Apparatus, filed Sept. 20, 1920. In so far as subject-matter isshown, and not claimed in said co-pending ap lication, this case is acontinuation thereo.

' The work engager is carried for rotation with the actuator. The majoractuator section 64 has connected thereto by means of bolts 86, abracket 87 carrying pin 88 eccentric to' the actuator. This pin 88 is abearing for bracket member 89 carrying transversely of the axisof thepin 88 a pivot pin '90 for link 91. Thislink 91 at its free end haspivot pin 92 for upstanding short link 93 providing a bearing airis inthe line of its upward extent for a link 94 (Figs. 4, 65,13). This link94 shiftable at to the shifting of the link 91 connected therewith, 1Sattached to major engager section 95. 325mg U-ghtapiildbelngager section95 has bolt vor e ac a y mountin i aw 97, having parallel ribs or t ee li d f tlg be tween faces for similar efi'ective pipe ripping in eitherdirection of working. This avoids any necessity of reversing.

The free ends of this U-shaped gripping section 95 carry pivot pins 98respectively mounting minor engager sections 100, 101. The grippingsection 101 terminates, remote from its pivotal or hinge mounting, in anoutwardly extending portion 102 carrying a beep or link 103 having aneccentrically mounted pin 104 operable by a handle 105. The gri pingsection 100, terminates in an outward y extending portion 106, swingableinto position to oppose the similar section 102 of the section 101. Thisport-ion 106 is provided with a seat 107. The sections 100, 101, may beswung toward each other to cooperate with the section 95 as a pipeembracing grip, to be locked into position as adjusted by set screw 108,(FigsQKi-l, 4.) The locking is efiected by swinging the hasp 103 overthe portion 106, to brihg the pm 104 into the seat 107'. Swinging of thehandle 105 radially inward, brings the eccentric pin 104 into closelocking and binding relation for this ipe gripping structure.

The compound linkage'permits movement of this engager as to the actuatoru and down, that is, to follow a. pi e out in unthreading, or to followa' ipe down in threading. In the event the distance threaded ,beexcessive away from the actuator, the engager may be dis-engaged andbrought toward the actuator for re-engagement. Conversel if in thefollowing of work downwar the engager comes into position close upon theactuator, the engager should be disconnected from the work andre-connectedaway from the actuator. However, the travel distance of theengager as to the actuator is such as to take care of normal threadingdistances. The linkage connec tion between the engager and the actuator,permits of slight shiftings .to take care of alignment operationsindependently of lacing such strains upon this casing han lin machine.However, this connection is suc as to compel rotation of the engagerwith the actuator in either direction of actuator rotation.

For ready speeding up of pipe handling operations, in addition to thequick setting up and quick removal of the machine as to the wellopening, there is provided quick gager and keeping it from in lever 115having its fulcrum carried by extension 116 upward from the member 89.The remote end of this lever 115 carries counterweight 117 adjustablethereon by set screw 118. Extra fitting cheeks 119 may be mounteddetachably in-the gripping device or engager to increase the range ofsizes for use without changing to a different enga r. Such changes,either by cheeks, or ot er size'change, render desirable counterweightadjustments for poising the engager. These adjustments, as shown may betaken into account by adjusting the counterweight 117 along the lever115, or by changing the connection of the link 114 to this lever 115.

In down threading operations, instead of adjusting the counterweight tooverbalance the engager, the counterweight may be left as acounterpoise, and supplemental lifting means provided. To this end,guide mounting bolts 81 may adjustably engage for clamping plates 120carrying upstanding rods 121 (Figs. 1, 6, 14). Set screws 122 serve toclamp adjustably stems 123 along these two rods 121 as approximatelydiametrically disposed upward from the actuator. Helical tension springs124 from the stems 123 extend to brackets 125 connected by bolts 126 tothe engager. There is thus provided an automatic reset upward for theengager at once it is released from following a thread downward. Thesprings 124 may be adjusted by the lacing of thestems 123, as to theextent of ift. The diametrical position and radial clearance of the rods121 is adjusted in the placing of the plates 120 for engagement'by thebolts 81.

In the operation of the machine as herein disclosed, such is mountedaway from the well hole for swinging thereover there to be locked inpositionand supporte ,by strut rod 29 and caster 21, 22, 23, or bystirru structure 15. The drive is quickly and simply-connected bybringing the seats 54, 55,

to be latched by bolt 50 with the stub shaft 58. In swinging thismachine thus into position, with one side of the various U-shapedfeatures open, it is assumed that a length of pipe is rotruding fromthewell hole, as handled y elevators or by hand, and is in registerposition with a pipe length there- -an actuator carried by i below,either for connection or disconnection, and that such length is held,either by friction on the sections therebelow in the well, or by aspider on the derrick floor. This machine in its form clears the floorof the derrick adjacent the well'hole, thereby allowing use of thespider or other devices.

The engager may be closed into pipe embracing position, adjusted as tothe set screw 108, so that the sections 100, 101, as drawn by theeccentric pin 104, snugly thrust the pipe section into biting positionas to the teeth 97. -The guides 83 may approximate centering ofthe-machine as to the pipe below the engager. This adjustment of theguides is effected after the actuator has been closed and locked byhaving the handle 78 swing against the pin or sto 80. The prime movermay now be starte in the direction desired for effecting the unthreadingoperation to. the left, while for threading operation, to the right orclockwise, looking-1- downward into the well, with right hand I threadedpipe being used.

In many instances, especially in deep well operations, it is desirabletothread together, or unthread some considerable lengths or strings ofpipe, and then continue other drilling operations. This conditionfrequently arises where there are problems to be met in the upperstrata, especially found in the Texas field, where casing of large sizeis used at the surface for a depth,

smaller diameter casing therebelow, and

sometimes as many as three or four different diameters of such casingare used in getting the well down, drilling operations occurring betweenthe placing of the different strings of casing. When the well iscompleted and the tubing is in, the several casings may be taken out.Such intermittent uses as this are handled by the device of thisdisclosure with great speed and with no interference, so far asthe setup for the other operations. The source of power in such otheroperations may be conveniently available for the prime mover herein.

Referring to Fig. 4 the engager member 95 has the bolt 96 loosely engagethe jaw 97 so that the rounded end of the link 94 as the engager isswung into pulling or driving position, wedges against the back of thejaw 97 to thrust the jaw radially inward toward the pipe into moreeffective biting relation. 1

What is claimed and it is desired to secure by Letters Patent is: I

1. A rotation drive device embodying a frame, a swingable supporttherefor, means for anchoring the frame against swinging, the frame, anda work engager held to rotate with the actuator.

2. A' rotation drive device embodying a frame, a carrying brackettherefor provid- -ably mounting the frame, means for anchoring the frameagainst swinging, an actuator carried by the frame having rotationrelatively to the frame, the axis of said actuator being parallel to theaxis of the bracket, and a work engager movable toward and from theactuator and held to rotate with the actuator. i

4. A rotation drive device embodying an open side frame, a swingablesupport therefor, means for anchoring the frame against swinging, anactuator ring carried by the open side frame, and a work engager held torotate with the actuator ring and movable toward and from the actuatorring and frame.

5. A device for effecting threading up or nnthreading rotation of pipelengths in connecting up into strings or disconnecting from strings,said device embodying an open side frame, a swingable support therefor,means for anchoring the frame against swinging, a sectional actuatorring carried by the open side frame and having a section thereof movableinto registry position with the frame open side, and a work engager heldfor driving by the actuator ring.

6. A pipe screwing device embodying a hU-shaped frame provided with atrack, a

swingable su port therefor, an actuator ring carried or rotation as tosaid frame track, and a work engager connected to rotate with said ringand movable axially relatively thereto.

7. A rotation drive device embodying a U-shaped frame provided with atrack having a gap, and a work actuator ring carried by the track, saidring including hinged sections openable when in registry withthe gap inthe track to permit relative movement of work into the frame radially asto the actuator.

8. A rotation drive device embodying a U-shaped frame providing a trackhaving a gap, a work. actuator gear carried by the track, said gearincluding hinged toothed sections openable when in registry with the gapin the track, a drive gear for the actuator gear, a centering guidecarried by the gear for directing work therethrough, and Work grippingmeans movable axially of the gear and rotatable therewith.

9. A rotation drive device embodying a U-shaped frame providing a trackhaving a gap, a work actuator ring gear carried by the track, said gearincluding a major toothed section and a minor toothed section, a hingefor connecting one end of the minor toothed section to the major toothedsection, a lock for holding the other end of the minor toothed sectionagainst shifting as to the major toothed section, toothed driving meansfor the actuator gear, a centering guide carried by the gear fordirecting work therethrough, and work gripping means movable axially ofthe gear and rotatable therewith. I

10. A rotation drive device embodying a U-shaped frame providing a.track havln a gap, a. work actuator ring gear carried by the track,said-gear including a major toothed section and a minor toothed section,a hinge for connecting one end of the minor toothed section to the majortoothed section, a rotatable pin lock for holding the other end of theminor toothed section against shifting as to the 'major toothed section,toothed driving means for the actuator ear, a centering guide carried bythe gear for directing work therethrough, and work I gripping meansmovable axially of the gear for directing work therethrough, and Workgripping means movable axially of the gear and rotatable therewith.

12. A rotation drive device embodying a U-shaped frame providing a trackhaving a gap, at work actuator ring bevel gear carried by the track,said gear including a major toothed section and a minor toothed section,a hinge for connecting one end of 'the minor toothed section to themajor toothed section, a lock for holding the other end of the minortoothed section against shifting as to the major toothed section, bevelpinion driving means for the actuator gear, a centering guide carried bythe gear for directing work therethrough, and work gripping meansmovable axially of the gear and rotatable therewith.

13. A rotation drive device embodying a frame. an actuator for theframe, a disconnectable drive for the actuator, a work engager held torotate with the actuator, and yieldable poising means for the engager asto the frame.

14. A rotation drive device embodying an open side frame, a sectionalactuator carried thereby, a work engager held to rotate with theactuator, a drive for the actuator, a latch for disconnectin the driveand yieldable poising means or the engager as to theframe. V 1

15. A rotation drive device embodying a U-frame, an actuator thereforembodying a U-section rotatable relatively to the frame, a work engagerconnected to rotate with the actuator, a disconnectable drive shaft forthe actuator, and yieldable poising means for the engager as to theframe.

16. A work rotation device embodyin a swingable supporting frame, arotata le actuator having its axis parallel to the axis of swing for theframe, a work engager movable relatively to the actuator, and yieldablepoising means for the engager as to the frame.

17 Avwork rotation device embodying a supporting frame, an actuatorcarried for rotation as to the frame, a work engager, a linkageconnection between the engager and actuator, and yieldable poisingmeansfor the en ager as to the frame.

18. work rotation device embodying a supporting frame, an actuatorcarried for rotation as to the frame, a work engager, a drag linkconnection between the engager and actuator, and yieldable poising meansfor the'engager as to the frame.

19. A work rotation device embodying a supporting frame, an actuatorcarried for rotation as to the frame, a work engager, a swivelconnection between the engager and actuator, and yieldable poising meansfor the engager as to the frame.

20.-A work rotation supporting frame, an actuator, a work engager, andmeans for poising the engager as to the actuator.

21. A work rotation device embodying a supporting frame, an actuator, awork engager, and an extensible connection therebetween.

device embodying a 22. A work rotation device embodying a 4 supportingframe, an actuator, a work engager, and a connection for pulling theengager to rotate with the actuator and poising the engager.

23. A work rotation device embodyin a supporting frame,- an actuatorrotata le relatively to the frame, a work engager connected forrotationwith the actuator, poising means for the engager, and means foradjusting the poising means. I 24. A work rotation device embodying asupporting frame, anactuator rotatable as tosaid frame, a sectional ringengager connected to rotate with said actuator, and yieldable poisingmeans for the engager as 00 to the frame.

25. A work rotation device embodying a supporting frame, an actuatorrotatably carried by said frame, and a work en ager, said actuator andengager being 0 sectional ring form each provided with an openable sidein a common radial region.

26. A work rotation device embodying a supporting frame, an actuatorrotatable relatively to the frame and carried thereby, a work engager,work gripping means carried by the engager and work guiding meanscarried by the actuator.

27. A work rotation device embodying a supporting frame, an actuatorrotatable relatively to the frame and carried thereby, a work engager,work adjustable gripping means carried by the engager and workadjustableguiding means carried by the actuator. J

28. A pipe handling machine embodying an engager provided with pipeembracing means, a loose jaw, and operating connections for the engagerincluding a member remote from the jaw movable to bring the 86 jaw intopipe biting position.

In witness whereof I affix my si ature.

- ARTHUR H. BRAN ON.

